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HomeUK PhotographyMatt Oliver | Featured Photographer

Matt Oliver | Featured Photographer


Matt’s work has jogged my memory of many days spent with pals (and alone) within the birch woods of the Peak District. It is a significantly stunning and accessible place with a whole lot of historical past. I used to be to see how he interpreted the peculiar connection of the rock, the woodland and the historical past and I feel he is completed a very nice job. I despatched Matt a number of questions concerning the challenge and he kindly responded at size as you will note right here. The Peak District ought to maintain a spot for everybody with a ardour for the panorama because the start of the entry motion and this transition from quarry to nationwide park is a key facet of that development. Thanks Matt!


May you inform us a bit about your love for panorama pictures, what your early passions have been, what you studied, and the profession path you finally pursued?

I fell in love with pictures after taking GCSE artwork in my final two years in school. Shortly discovering out that I lacked any expertise with brush or pencil. At the back of the classroom was a darkroom. After seeing one in every of my horrible photos seem within the developer tray, I used to be hooked by the magic. Deciding I needed to make pictures my profession, led to learning for an additional 4 years, working for varied studios as a (very underpaid) assistant, and ultimately organising my very own studio in December 2000. Two years of my research the place in Sheffield, that is have been I started to follow panorama pictures.

Round 1993/94 I bear in mind journeys out to Padley, amazed by this rugged panorama, and twisted bushes. In youthful days, I additionally bear in mind the identical space from walks with my Dad on weekend journeys. All through my life, and now later reflecting, I’ve realised this entire space has given me a number of enjoyment and so many alternative recollections. Rising up has coincided with the adjustments on this panorama. It is now basic to me as an individual and a photographer.

I now stay only a stones throw away from the place I studied 30 or so years in the past in Sheffield, only a coincidence, and positively wasn’t deliberate…It does really feel like I’ve come full circle.

Battlelines

You’re a business photographer, too and have a studio based mostly in Nottingham. Has your business work influenced your fashion and strategy to pictures?

In some ways, I’ve a unique strategy to every self-discipline. Commercially, I’m typically working to another person’s imaginative and prescient or temporary after which placing my tackle this to attain what’s required. Time is at all times a strain, by no means sufficient, in fact, so the day-to-day might be nerve-racking. Landscapes however, I attempt to take away the stress and strain. Though not at all times profitable, that is one thing I consistently try to enhance on. The outside is my escape, one thing I cherish, so having fun with being out is absolutely essential. Once more, there’s by no means sufficient time.

The overlap between the 2 disciplines is utilizing gentle. Observing gentle within the panorama has 100% influenced my business work. It sounds apparent, nevertheless it’s a relentless studying curve, even in any case these years.

The overlap between the 2 disciplines is utilizing gentle. Observing gentle within the panorama has 100% influenced my business work. It sounds apparent, nevertheless it’s a relentless studying curve, even in any case these years. The place you stand in relation to the topic within the land is as essential as to the place you place the sunshine to {photograph} an object. Refined actions and placement have big variations.

Reflecting in your photos over the 28 years you’ve been a business photographer, what do you assume the most important change in your work has been?

To simplify. In my early days I might positively over complicate issues, approach too many lights – 5 or 6 flash heads, is now 2 or 3. Attempting to make photos seem extra pure.

Observing gentle, particularly in nature, has led me to try to enhance how I take advantage of gentle within the studio and within the panorama.

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